Filipino centenarians get honors, cash in House Bill
...elderly citizens are fulfillment of the motherland

LEGAZPI CITY, Apr. 6 (PIA) -- "While we correctly and repeatedly say that “the youth is the hope of the motherland, we should also acknowledge that elderly citizens, particularly centenarians, are the fulfillment of the motherland.”

Thus asserted Minority Leader and Albay I Rep. Edcel C. Lagman as he relentlessly pursues House Bill No. 834 or “An Act Honoring and Granting Additional Benefits and Privileges to Filipino Centenarians, Declaring the 25th of September as National Respect for Centenarians Day and for Other Purposes.”

“Honoring and rewarding Filipino centenarians is a fitting testimonial to our giving value to life and life-long achievements,” he said.

In an email to PIA Bicol News Service, Lagman said the HB 834 was already approved unanimously last week by the House Committee on Population and Family Relations.

Lagman added that “centenarians are role models for aging well and living long, three decades past the current life expectancy of the average Filipino at 71 years.”

Under the Centenarian Bill, Filipinos, both in the Philippines and abroad, are entitled to the following benefits:

1) A cash gift of P100,000.00 on their 100th birthday and a congratulatory letter from the President of the Philippines;

2) An additional cash reward from the local government unit (LGU) where they are residing at the option of the concerned local government;

3) Posthumous plaques of recognition in honor of all deceased centenarians who died before the effectivity of the law, to be presented to the nearest surviving relative;

4) Fifty percent (50%) discount and exemption from the value added tax (VAT), if applicable, on the sale of goods and services from all establishments for the exclusive use and enjoyment or availment of centenarians; and

5) Declaring every 25th of September as “National Respect for Centenarians Day” wherein all Filipinos who have become centenarians during the year shall be awarded plaques of recognition and cash incentives by their respective city or municipal governments in appropriate ceremonies.

Lagman also said that while we correctly and repeatedly say that “the youth is the hope of the motherland, we seldom acknowledge that elderly citizens, particularly centenarians, are the fulfillment of the motherland.”

In 2007 there were a total of 7,323 Filipino centenarians, 4,206 of which were females and 3,117 were males.

The United States has the most number of centenarians estimated at 72,000 while Japan is second with a centenarian population of about 30,000. However, it is estimated that China will actually lead the world population of centenarians by 2050 with over 450,000. (MAL, PIA V/Albay)

Chiz backs Palace call on government employees be bearers of good news

LEGAZPI CITY, April 6 (PIA) -- Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero has shared the same viewpoint with the Palace calling on all government employees to be bearers of good news.

“I agree as long as it’s factual and does not consist of pure embellishments while at the same time recognizing real and existing problems and addressing them accordingly as well,” stressed the senator.

Escudero said that this is actually the job and primary responsibility of the Communications Group in the palace for the President.

“I hope they are not simply passing the buck so to speak. I would like to think instead that they are asking for help from fellow officials and co-workers in government to bring the President's accomplishments and message of hope closer and more understandable to our people,” he said.

On Impeachment of the Ombudsman

Meanwhile, Escudero stated that he also adheres with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile position not to allow any last efforts to amend impeachment rules

“I agree and see where he is coming from given that we just recently approved it and to amend it when we resume will only cause undue delay given that we need to publish it and comply with publication requirements all over again,” he said.

Escudero underscored that the time for amendments has passed and we don’t want the Senate, as an institution, to be accused of dragging our feet and unduly delaying the trial. (MAL, PIA V/Albay)

22 hired, 845 others qualified in LGU Legazpi City-sponsored Jobs Fair
By Manny P. Solis

LEGAZPI CITY, Apr. 6 (PIA) — Some 22 job seekers were hired and 845 are now awaiting for interview out of the 1,027 applicants during the Jobs Fair on March 30-31spearheaded by the Public Employment and Services Office (PESO) of the city government here.

Mayor Carmen Geraldine Rosal of this city said that one of the foremost agenda of her Administration is to create more job opportunities for the local here, especially this time of the year wherein thousands added anew to the number of unemployed with the end of the school year yielding more graduates.

“We always intend to give these people opportunities to live a decent way of living, with decent jobs and fro the threshold of poverty.

The lady chief executive furthered cited the role of the partners in carrying out the two-day event not only to generate jobs but also to the thrust of the local government in improving the economic situation and quality of living of the people.

Participating organizations and employers included Computer Systems Institute, Embarcadero de Legazpi, Manila-based call center Convergys.

On the other hand, CSI Office of Student Affair head Arlene Arao-Narvasa said that one of the targets of partner-schools is to meet the standards and abide by the regulations of the Technical Education and Skills Development Administration (TESDA) that 60 per cent of the graduates should be ready for employment.

The job generation undertaking evolved on the theme: Empowering Albayanos through Better Employment Opportunities. (MAL/MPS, LGU Legazpi City)

35 studes finish animation course in CamSur Animation Training Program
By Lizel S. Macatangay

CADLAN, Pili, Camarines Sur, Apr. 6 (PIA) -- With humble beginning from a sheer workshop conceptualized by Camarines Sur Governor LRAY Villafuerte, the Camarines Sur Animation Program now boasts of 35 graduates finishing different genres of animation equipping them knowledge and skills at par with global practitioners.

The graduates received their Certificates of Completion in a ceremony held at the Bamboo Grille, Eco Village, Capitol Complex, here over the weekend.

Popularly known as Gov. LRay Animation Training Program, the state-run animation studio has been in existence for almost three years, specializing in traditional animation and continuously training creative minds to come up with artistic and inventive styles using the latest hardware and computer peripherals.

Villafuerte said that using state of the art equipment, students are given almost limitless opportunities to explore the realms of their imagination and come up with a unique work of art – and these were to them for free.

Villafuerte added that the scholars are also given a P50.00 subsidy to cover their transportation expenses during training days.

Villafuerte said that the said program is meant to give chances to talented but indigent students who do not have the financial capacity to enter into a formal animation class.

“As a form of encouragement and motivation, those who will perform well in class will also be employed under the Camarines Sur Animation Studio. They will be paid for every completed movie that they will accomplish,” he said.

Senecio Paladan, senior technical education and skills specialist of the Technical Education and Skills Development Administration (TESDA), commended the provincial government for taking the leap to educate capable but financially-inept families to send their children to school for free.

Also included under the said program is the Gov. L-Ray 2D Animation Training Program which produces graduates after every four (4) months of completing the trainings and exercises.

The studio is located inside the 150-hectare Camarines Sur IT Park owned and managed by the provincial government. The park was declared by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) as a Special Economic Zone and was duly recognized thru Presidential Proclamation No. 850 issued on May 25, 2005. (MAL/LSM, PIA CamSur)

CamNorte celebrates 7th Bantayog Festival, marks 91st Provincial Foundation Anniversary
By Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, April 6 (PIA) – Camarines Norte has formally opened Monday (April 4) the 7th Bantayog Festival to start off activities in line with the celebration of the province’s 91st Foundation Anniversary on April 15.

The series of month-long activities has commenced with the Bicol Open Tennis Championship and Summer Arts Workshop that will run until April 11 and May 14, respectively.

The province has also set a tribute to the local heroes commemorating the anniversary of Daet Revolt of 1898 wherein local officials will lead ceremonies of floral offering on April 14, also coinciding with a “Lecture on the Air” on the significant historical events in the province.
Highlight of the festivity will be the province’s foundation day lined up with activities including Philippine National Flag raising ceremony, thanksgiving mass, commemorative program, drum and bugle/lyre corps competition, civil military training drill competition, civic military parade and the Governor’s night.

Other activities also include a surfing clinic on April 15-17, 1st Governor Edgardo Tallado Shoot Fest on April 16-17, dance showdown and boxing competition on April 16 and 18, respectively, Bagasbas beach party on April 14-16, photo and art exhibit, tourism and trade fair on April 18-24, visual arts exhibit year VII on April 18-May 16, penitensya watching on April 20-22, Easter egg hunting on April 24, jamming in Mercedes on April 25, Kaogmahan sa Bagasbas (Easter Sunday events) and bikini open on April 24;

Jobs fair and NBI clearance applications on April 25-26, cycling competition- April 26, “Kami Naman” dance showdown (for 50 years old and above) on April 27, and Search for Ms. Camarines Norte/Miss Bantayog 2011 on April 28.

A painting workshop by Hermes Alegre and Saturday Group, grand festival parade, street dancing competition, River Maya concert, variety shows and fireworks display will mark the finale of the festival on April 29. (MAL/RBM, PIA CamNorte)


AACCUP sets to evaluate 8 academic programs of CSC
By Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, April 6 (PIA -- Accrediting Agency for Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (AACCUP) Inc. is set to evaluate for Level III re-accreditation the eight academic programs of Catanduanes State Colleges (CSC) on April 7-8, 2011.

The academic programs, all gearing up for Level III re-accreditation, are Elementary Teacher Education, Secondary Teacher Education, AB Economics, AB Political Science, Nursing, Industrial Technology, Master of Arts in Education and Master of Public Administration.

These programs all passed previous accreditations and have progressively attained higher accreditation levels.

The Level III reaccreditation will not be as time intensive as in previous evaluations since it will be a re-validation of previously presented programs, projects and activities and the corresponding AACCUP suggestions for improvements.

The document evaluation will be done through seminar-type narrative profile through audiovisual presentation and it will be immediately followed by presenters and accreditors interaction. Up for presentations are the colleges’ instruction, research, and extension and library components.

The accreditation of all CSC academic programs is one of the major programs of the CSC administration under the stewardship of President Asuncion V. Asetre to attain quality and excellence. To date, CSC has 19 academic programs accredited by the AACCUP.

AACCUP defines accreditation as the formal recognition of an educational program as possessing certain standards of quality or excellence based on analysis of the merits of its educational operation in relation to its objectives.

Level III status is accorded with benefits and privileges that include authority to offer new courses allied to existing Level III courses, without prior approval provided that the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), through the appropriate Higher Education Regional Office, is duly informed before such programs are offered.

According to AACCUP, accreditation lends prestige to member institutions, justified by the possession of quality standards and unremitting efforts to maintain them at high level. Aside from this, it helps parents to know which program they may send their children to for quality education.

It also makes all those engaged in education aware of standards of excellence that they should strive to attain. In addition, it makes possible for those proposing funding and those who are to fund to know what to support and how much support is needed. The strength and weaknesses of the programs could also be assessed easily through accreditation.

Students on the other hand who are graduates of accredited academic programs especially teacher education automatically earn points in the evaluation of their application for a teaching position. Based on Guidelines on the Hiring of Public School Teachers contained in the DepEd Order No. 2 series of 2002, students who earned their degree from schools whose teacher education program is accredited as Level I will get four points, Level II 8 points, Level III 12 points and Level IV 15 points. (MAL/AEB, PIA Catanduanes/CSC)

Pandan sets 18th Dinahit Festival
By Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, April 6 (PIA) - The municipal government of Pandan, Catanduanes is up on preparations for the the conduct of the 18th District Festival on April 11-15,2011 with the theme ” Dinahit Festival; a celebration of mother nature and cultural heritage”.

Series of activities have been line-up for the said event including coastal cleanup, Palayag tour, agro-trade fair, parade/street dancing, opening program highlighting the festivals of festivals to be participated by the different barangays of Pandan on April 11.

On April 14, there will be Pakuyas sa Honasan, kite flying, carabao race and boxing tournament, cultural show and Dinahit Regatta, followed by the Tourism Awareness Forum and assessment and validation of tourism potentials of the municipality to be facilitated by the Provincial Tourism Office.

One of the objectives of this activity is to promote the local tourism industry and preserve the culture and heritage of Pandan.

Dinahit Festival is the summer festival of Pandan, Catanduanes.

“Dinahit” is a term used by local folks in Catanduanes in referring to the wind-driven (ikan layag) sailing vessel with twooutriggers used by our maritime ancestors, the Austronesian in going top Pandan.

Dinahit was derived from local term pinagadahit meaning to drag to shore or safety. Over the centuries , the Dinahit survived colonial prohibitions and technological competition, it sailed the surrounding waters of Catanduanes communities. It is the epitome of the triumph of tradition over foreign cultural domination.

It was founded in 1993 by Efren B. Isorena, a UP Professor who is also a Pandananon, the idea was conceived while they were sailing off the shore of barangay Canlubi along with Mr. Eddie Ibardaloza and Mr. Romeo Aco.

It is a celebration of the farmers and fishermen in their good catch and harvest, those who labor hard under the sun and above the seas. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)